Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has resigned, her spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.

"Yes, she has resigned. The deputy president has resigned to outgoing President Thabo Mbeki," said her spokesman Denzil Taylor.

"She resigned for two reasons -- for personal reasons, and also she wants to afford the new president the opportunity to elect his or her own deputy president."

Taylor said a "broader statement" would be released later on Tuesday.

The announcement came after the African National Congress national executive committee decided at the weekend to remove Mbeki from office.

ANC spokesman Steyn Speed said it was Mlambo-Ngcuka's own decision to step down.

"There was no decision by the national executive committee to recall her," Speed said.

Asked if the ANC had nominated a candidate for the deputy presidency, he said: "I can't imagine that that has come up."